Hurricane Irene: Milford mayor tells shoreline residents to go

Published 12:00 am, Friday, August 26, 2011

MILFORD -- There was none of the usual sugar-coating on the message Friday from Mayor James Richetelli: If you live the shore or in a flood-prone area, get out.

Irene will barrel in faster than expected and if wind gusts reach 55 mph, no one is going to come to the rescue. All residents should be prepared because, "It is anticipated that the impact of this storm will be for days or weeks - not hours," Richetelli said.

As dire as the predictions are, there are no mandatory evacuations yet because that ruling has to come from the governor's office, Richetelli said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy at noon on Friday advised all citizens who live in areas that are prone to flooding to make arrangements to leave their homes before midnight Saturday.

For planning purposes, Malloy also said the state will likely close the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways starting around midnight Saturday because of the close proximity of trees to that roadway.

Any official evacuation order to citizens, if necessary, would be announced by mid-day Saturday, Malloy said, who was depending to a great extent on citizens using common sense and leaving problematic areas on their own in a timely manner.

"As of now, ... the time to have completed all of your actions, including travel, is 12 midnight Saturday evening. To plan to be on a road or to out of one's safe place beyond that hour simply does not make any sense," Malloy said.

Milford Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia said at an afternoon press conference held at City Hall, "I do not get alarmed easily. This storm gives me reason to be alarmed."

LaVecchia said he expects the storm to be worse than Hurricane Gloria of 1985, a category one hurricane that left him without power for 11 days and devastated much of the state.

LaVecchia warned residents to treat all wires left lying on the ground as live wires and avoid them as well as avoid walking through standing water.

He said when wind reaches 50 mph or wind gusts 55 mph there will be too much danger to rescuers to start helping people evacuate or go to emergency scenes, so emergency response will "cease." He said flooding, downed trees and other effects of the storm could also complicate rescue, so he stressed for residents to get to safety before the storm his at 3 a.m. Sunday.

Officials in Milford have been planning for days and met Friday at 7 and 9 a.m. to review their plan and will continue to meet.

For those who don't go to a hotel or stay with relatives, an emergency shelter will be set up at Jonathan Law High School, 20 Lansdale Ave. The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Saturday and will be managed by the American Red Cross and the city's Health Department. Residents using the shelter should bring enough clothing, personal items and necessary medications for an extended stay, Richetelli said.

A pet shelter will also be available at the high school and residents should bring any supplies needed.

The city's Animal Control Department Friday evacuated the animal shelter located near the shore of Silver Sands State Park. Eight dogs, 10 cats and birds were moved to Snowflake Kennel to ride out the storm. The shelter is located on the shoreline near Silver Sands State Park and the road in front is prone to flooding even when there is no hurricane.

"We're making sure they're safe and getting ahead of the storm," said animal control Officer Rick George. George and his crew will be at one of the city's emergency rescue centers ready to rescue any animals that run into trouble. He remembers driving to rescue an animal during another storm with water up to the bottom of his vehicle windows.

Richetelli said all the latest data shows the storm is expected to "make a major impact," on Milford, bringing tropical force winds and seven to 9 inches of rain.

"The latest forecast models show Hurricane Irene has accelerated," he said. He urged residents to stock up on food, water, batteries for flashlights.

The Police Department's scuba and marine patrol will be ready to go into action.

Police Chief Keith Mello said the best approach is prevention and neighbors should look out for one another, especially the elderly, frail and handicapped.

Public Works Director Bruce Kolwicz said while it's hard to predict which trees will come down, he believes there will be many because many trees in the city are old - the city dates back to 1639 - and, "This is going to be a lot worse than Gloria."

Those who need to move their vehicles to higher ground or away from the shore are allowed to use school parking lots throughout the city.

The Emergency Operations Center number for those who want to report a non-emergency storm-related incident or who have questions can call: 203-874-6782.

General information about storm resources can be obtained by calling the state infoline at 211 or the city's storm hotline at 8-STORM-2.

Power outages can be reported to United Illuminating at: 1-800-722-5584.

All residents who are not essential personnel are being asked to stay home during the storm and its aftermath.